OTAN News

Strengthening Family Literacy Throughout the School Year

Even though we are celebrating Adult Education and Family Literacy Week for one week in the second half of September, the work of strengthening family literacy continues throughout the school year.

TESOL International Association has published a Community and Family Toolkit, a guide to engaging the families of English learners in the classroom, the school, and the community. The Toolkit has a number of detailed ideas that English language educators can use at all levels to connect with families and build strong communities. Some of the ideas include:

• Library backpack program
• Increase involvement of EL families at school events
• Establish an Adult Resource Center for EL families
• Develop a school action plan

To download the Toolkit and learn about related resources, visit this page on the TESOL website: http://www.tesol.org/advance-the-field/advocacy-resources/community-and-family-resources-for-elps

ProLiteracy, an organization devoted to adult literacy and basic education, has published a Toolkit for Adult Education and Family Literacy Week that includes good advocacy materials and information that can be used and modified as the school year progresses. There are tips on how to inform local, state, and federal officials about the literacy challenges that students continually face, and how to engage with communities and potential partners via social media and get the word out. To download the Toolkit, visit this page on the ProLiteracy website: https://www.proliteracy.org/Get-Involved/Become-a-Member/Member-Central/Adult-Education-and-Family-Literacy-Week-Toolkit

Finally, the Twitter hashtag #AEFLWeek has been very active this week. Twitter users have contributed a number of great ideas and information about literacy efforts across the country. As the school year continues, consider following #familyliteracy and #adultliteracy, among other Twitter hashtags that continue the literacy conversation.